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“We need to get ready for breakfast,” she said. Her voice was a little rough.
She disappeared into the closet and Cade turned over. “You need to be careful.”
“There’s being careful and there’s beingtoocareful. We agreed not to lie to her, so I’m not fucking lying to her. I want her to figure it out. I want her to realize this isn’t a game.”
“I want that too. Just don’t push too hard too fast.”
Fair point.
We got ready, Isolde managing to hide from us until we were ready to go. The black, flowing dress she wore looked incredible, but the color didn’t suit her. Last night in the green she practicallyglowed. Now, while beautiful, the spark was missing.
I took her hand as she led us out the veranda doors instead of through the house. On one of the lawns extending down to the beach, a white, open-sided tent rested, a long table underneath already filled with people.
There was enough space for us, but I noticed as we approached, Beau and Angela sat with the group. “What are they doing here?”
“He’s the best man,” Isolde reminded me. “He’ll be here the whole time. Well, at least when the rest of the wedding party is.”
“Perfect,” I growled.
“I know, I’m sorry. Protecting me from him is going to get old.”
I pulled her to a stop and glanced at Cade. He read my mind and stepped in behind her. We were close enough for people to see, but not hear. “I don’t give a shit if I have to protect you from him every second of every day, Isolde. I wish he weren’t here for your sake. He doesn’t make you feel safe, and I hate that. This is your home. You deserve to feel comfortable.”
Her mouth popped open in shock. I could so easily lean in and bite that lower lip. Pull her into a kiss that would make her believe me. Every time I had to pull myself back from kissing her, it got harder.
Lifting my hand like a man possessed, I ran my thumb along her lower lip. Isolde’s pupils dilated, and a wave of sweet perfume swirled around the three of us. Cade’s eyes closed as it hit him. I needed to step away before I did anything more.
“Oh,” was all Isolde said.
“We are here foryou,” I told her. “Whatyouneed. Not him and not anyone else, okay?”
“Okay.” A shy smile.
“Morning,” Mrs. Allen called from down the table as we approached.
Isolde waved, and I pulled out a chair for her a few seats down from being directly across from Beau and Angela. Joel and Rowan took those a little too gleefully.
“Morning, Isolde,” Beau said.
“Good morning.” She froze for a second, covering it well as she made herself comfortable in her chair. “That bracelet is lovely, Angela.”
The other redhead looked up like she was startled that Isolde even spoke to her, and Beau watched the two of them like a snake. Vicious. Dangerous. “Oh. Thank you. Beau gave it to me. He’s thoughtful that way.” She leaned into the man, bumping his arm with hers. He barely looked at her, his eyes focused on Isolde.
I sat down beside Isolde and looked at the bracelet. A simple silver chain with what looked like a purple stone graced Angela’s wrist.
“You like the bracelet, baby girl?” I hadn’t used the term in bed this morning because I thought it might have overwhelmed her too much. But here? Here I wanted to remind her.
She sucked in a breath and reached for her glass of water. “It’s mine.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Remember I said I only took what I couldn’t live without? The bracelet is mine. He must have taken it from the jewelry I left and given it to her.”
I moved to stand and her hand landed on my arm. “Don’t. It’s just a bracelet.”
“It’s fucking disrespectful is what it is.”
“Please.” She moved her hand to grip mine. “Don’t. But thank you for wanting to.”
